How “Gilmore Girls” Prepared Me for College

Even though Gilmore Girls has been off the air since 2007, there are parts of the show that are still relevant. I always found that no matter what I was going through in life, Rory and Lorelai had a little bit of wisdom for me. This became especially true when I went off to college. Even though I did well in high school I had no idea what college would be like, what to say to people, or what would be expected of me. Nothing. I had no idea. Everything was very vague. Nothing prepared me better for my collegiate experience than watching Rory go through it before me. Because of her, I felt comfortable being a little nerdy. I learned that mac and cheese is a good hangover food and coffee can be your best friend. Among many, many, other things.

So, here are some of the ways that Gilmore Girls prepared me for college, and subsequently, life in general.

1. It’s okay to miss your parents.

No matter how independent you may be and how ready to move away from home you may be, it is okay to miss your parents. Going to college is an adjustment and literally everyone is going through that adjustment.

You’re not lame. You’re not immature. And hey, it is even okay to miss your parents a bit when you are a senior. Or graduated.

2. Graduation hair.

It may seem silly but in season 2 episode 21 of Gilmore Girls called “Lorelai’s Graduation Day” Lorelai and Rory discuss how Lorelai should wear her hair for her graduation.

Rory suggests that she straighten it so her cap wouldn’t flatten out curled hair. And you know what? I seriously took that advice to heart.

3. Boys.

Rory always had a super cute boyfriend (I’m team Jess by the way; we can discuss this in greater detail later if you want) and what I took away from Rory is that dudes are everywhere, and sometimes they can suck and other times they can be awesome, but you shouldn’t let those relationships dictate your life, and you should always do what is best for you. This actually goes with all different types of partnerships and relationships, romantic and not. And as cheesy as it is, sometimes keeping in mind that letting someone go would be better in the long run really helped. Oh, and Chinese food.

4. College is not just about school — but that is important too.

Sometimes college can really bring you down. It is more rigorous academically and it is such a different lifestyle than anything else you’ve experienced. So, you have to involve yourself in other things. So much of college is about being social and being active and getting involved.

Studying is important, but it is not the only thing you’ll be doing.

Hmmm. Rory may not be the best example for getting out and doing other things. But you should!

5. Coffee is your best friend.

Or at least it was for me. There were so many times I had to turn to coffee to get me through studying for finals, or working on projects, or late-night radio shifts. Not to mention it is an awesome way to meet people.

Just…um… remember to keep things in moderation.

6. Roommates. Every one has them. You just gotta deal with it.

Roommates, especially in the dorms, can be difficult. Rory had to deal with three of them her freshman year at Yale and I have no idea how she did that. Roommates can also be awesome though, and it is an immediate connection to people on campus, so that’s a plus.

7. Even Rory Gilmore is scared of graduating.

Graduation is really exciting, but it also can be really terrifying. Trying to find jobs and internships and places to live and entering the “real world” is intimidating even to the most well prepared people.

So don’t freak out. It will be okay.

8. You have to get really creative with food sometimes.

College living is budget living. I found myself eating a lot of the same things. All the time. But Rory, now that girl got creative. She and Lorelai seriously knew how to eat.

I mean you don’t have to go crazy or anything.

Just…get creative.

9. No, seriously though, just go and do things.

Be social. Meet new people. and don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone a little bit. Rory went to Florida for spring break one year even though that totally wasn’t her thing, but she wanted the experience.

You have so many opportunities in college to take risks and do things you could never do before and may not be able to do again. Study abroad. Go on trips. Learn how to ski. I don’t know. Rory stole a boat and I would not recommend doing that. Yeah, maybe just stick with learning how to ski or going abroad to Italy for a semester.

Just remember that, just like an amazing T.V. show, college doesn’t last forever. It is over before you know it and you don’t want to suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out) for the rest of your life because you didn’t join the intramural kickball team your sophomore year and now you are burdened with regret. Just take a few cues from the Gilmore Girls and have fun. Study, but also have fun. and eat a lot.

Erin Browne is a Colorado State University graduate with a degree in Journalism and Technical Communication. She loves to travel, especially if there is a concert involved and she tries to write about music as much as possible. She feels personally victimized that The Social Network lost the Oscar to The King's Speech in 2011. Where most people are water, she is latte and she liked goats before Buzzfeed thought they were cool. She is also wildly hilarious on Twitter.

8 COMMENTS

I’m in my freshman year, it just started last week… and I’m really lost, altought I have watched Gilmore Girls. But that post helped me remember all I’ve learned with this amazing tv show.
I also watched Felicity, and I recommend it for those who whant to now more about college life. I loved it.

[…] school with the bare essentials only. Sadly, college dorm rooms do not look like Rory’s from Gilmore Girls. There is just enough room for you to live, and that is it. Here is a definitive list of the things […]

[…] was Dean on Gilmore Girls (but we’ve already established that we here at Surviving College are team Jess all the way – sorry bro!), not to mention he found himself in quite a few horror movies (e.g. House of […]

Delightful article, m’dear. Team Jess, you say? Hmm… We just may have some things to talk about. 😉 I run the blog: “Literati Love,” dedicated to all things Gilmore Girls, Jess and Rory, bookish, and classic movie related. The address, as above: http://www.iscahmckrae.tumblr.com. If you’ve a hankering, pop by and drop a note in my “submit” box (the “ask” box has a character limit). I’d love to hear how you came to be team Jess, and your analysis of the competition. (Dozens of other tidbits I’d love to discuss too).

My first year of college I did everything I could to avoid “getting involved.” My three years at my community college, I did the same thing. I’m transferring back to a 4 year in the fall and I’d really like if I could pull a Summer Roberts and find that one things that I’m really passionate about and just throw myself into it.